By name: reaching-consensus description: Facilitate group decision-making. Use when teams need to align on decisions, resolve disagreements, or make collective choices. Covers consensus techniques. allowed-tools: Read, Write, Glob, Grep
Reaching Consensus
Consensus vs. Voting
Voting: Majority wins, minority loses Consensus: Everyone can support the decision
Consensus Levels
| Level | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 | Fully support |
| 2 | Support with minor concerns |
| 3 | Can live with it |
| 4 | Have serious concerns |
| 5 | Cannot support |
Goal: Everyone at level 3 or better.
Techniques
Fist of Five
Quick check on support:
- 5 fingers: Fully support
- 4 fingers: Support
- 3 fingers: OK with it
- 2 fingers: Concerns
- 1 finger: Strong concerns
- Fist: Block
Gradients of Agreement
- Enthusiastic Yes
- Supportive Yes
- Willing Yes
- Reservations
- Stand Aside
- Block
Proposal-Based
- Present proposal
- Clarifying questions
- Quick reactions
- Amendments
- Check for consensus
- Iterate if needed
When Stuck
Disagree and Commit
- Debate thoroughly
- Make decision
- Everyone commits
- Review later
Time-Boxing
- Set decision deadline
- If no consensus, fallback option
- Owner makes final call
Smaller Group
- Delegate to experts
- Report back
- Full group ratifies
Facilitation Tips
- Ensure everyone speaks
- Summarize positions
- Find common ground
- Address concerns directly
- Document the decision
- Include dissenting views